BUILDING PERMIT ACTIVITY HELPS BOOST U.S. LEADING INDEX

Date January 27, 2007

The U.S. leading index ended 2006 on a high note, increasing 0.3 percent in December to 138.0 (1996=100), The Conference Board reported yesterday. While declining housing permits negatively impacted the leading index throughout most of 2006, a higher level of building activity contributed to December’s increase. Other positive contributors included unemployment claims, real money supply, [...]